Rotary valve for explosive-engines.



A. E. WINCKLER.

4ROTARY VALVE FOR EXPLOSIVE ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 5, I9I3.

1, 175,897. Patented Mar. 14, 1916.

GSHEETS-SHEET l.

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mun; Pneus. mc.. Luna.. wAsmuamn. o cv A. E. WINCKLER.

RoTARY VALVE FOR ExPLosIvE ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 5, Isls. v

Patented Mar. 14, 1916.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A. E. WINCKLER.

ROTARY VALVE FOR ExPLoswE ENGlNEs.

Y AfPUCATlON FILED MAY 5, \9|3.

1,175,897, Patented Mal. 14, 1916.

6 SHEETS --SHEET 3.

A. E. WINCIIIEII.

ROTARY VALVE FOR EXPLOSIVE ENGINES. APPLICATION FILED IIIAY', I9I3.

5 SHEETSWSHEET 4.

A. E. WINCKLER.

ROTARY VALVE FOR EXPLOSIVE ENGINES.

APyLlcATloN FILED 11111115.1913.

Patented Mr. 14, 19111.

6 SHEETSA-SHEET 5.

. EI WlNCKLER.

ROTARY VALVE FOR` EXPLOSIVE ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY ,1,175,897 5' m Patented Mar. 14, 1916, SHEETS-*SHEET 5- Q am@ *ww l R. QM. Nm.

' sure to the non-Working portions of theA 1 .1.1.1. CASE Afrniinsnine. MACH T ion'or WISCONSIN.

ROTARY vALvE Fon' nXPLos'Ivii-Eneinns.

To all whom. #may concern.'

Be it known that I, AAGE E. WINCKLER,

- a resident of Racine, in the county of Racine and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain neiv and useful Improvements in Rotary Valves for Explosive-Engines, of which the following is a full, clear, and eXact description. v

The invention relates to internal combustion engines. i

The invention designs to provide a rotary valve in Which provision is made for overcoming unequal pressure or `stresses upon the diiferent parts thereof, to cause the valve to Work smoothly and Without undue friction or vvear.

The invention further designs to provide rotary-valve mechanism which may be readily adjusted to fit snugly in its seat, by relative adjustment of different parts of the valve, as exemplified by the tivo oppositely tapered conoidal portions fitting in corresponding'ly formed seats and which, by relative adjustment, Will be caused to fit accuratelyin the seat. Resultantly, the necessity of providing presser-means for holding the tapered valve in its seat will be avoided, the oppositely tapered portions serving to mutually hold each other in accurately fitting relation to the seat.

The invention further designsto provide an improved rotary valve in which provision is made for'adinitting fluid under presvalve, to overcome irregular wear resulting in the conoidal seat, if the pressureI of the fluid is exerted only at one side or portion thereof.

The invention'furtherdesigns to provide a valve which may be efficiently lubricated. Lastly, the invention designs to-provide rotary valve-mechanism for explosive engines Whichfis simple in construction and eflicient in operation.

The invention co-nsists. in the several novel features hereinafter set forth and more par- .ticularlv defined by claims attheconclusion In" thedrawings: Figure' 1 isa. central vertical.'transversesection of an explosive engine "enibodving the invention. Fig. 2 is an -end elevation. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on line 3,.-3 of Fig. 1, the crank-case bein@r shown in section. Fig.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented R131. 14's 1915.

Application led May 5, 1913.

Serial No. 765,469.

4 is a horizontal section on vline 4--4 of Fig.v

INE COMPANY,` OF RACINE-, .WISCONSIN, A CORPORA-j i 1. Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5' of Fi'g. et.y Eig. l6 is a section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 4. IFig. 7, is aV vdetail plan of Fig. 8 isa section 0f said'4 the rotary valve. valve.

The invention is illustrated as applied to a four-cylinder engine7 it being understood, .f however, that it may be applied to an en.

gine comprising any desired number of cylinders. The engine comprises cylinders 10'rnounted upon acrank-case 11, a" crank-shaft 12 suitably journaled in the crank-case, and

cranks 13, connected to the sliding pistons 14 Working in the cylinders, respectively by pitinen Mayall of which may be of any suitable or usual construction, aswell understood inthe art.

illustrated as cast en bloc.

A vvater-jacket y15 is provided around the, cylinders which are A combined cylinder-head and valve casing 16 is fitted and securedto the top of the y engine-cylinders and this.,..casing ha's formed therein a Water-chamber 17 for cooling the head and the Walls in Which the valveseats are formed. An exhaust manifold 18 is r4'secured to one side of the casing 16.

connection 20 and casing 16 isprovided with an' outlet-connection 19. Inlet-ducts 22 are combustible iuid to a chamber 23y which supplies the fluid to the valve-mechanism.

The vvaterfjacket. is provided with a Water-inlet S5 formed at one side of casing 16 to deliver Y Valve-seats for the fluid-'controlling"valves,' 'v

one for each cylinder, are' formed in k'casing 16 as hereinafter more fully set forth: A rotary valve is provided for each cyl?l inder. and these valves, as Well as the seatsl therefor are of like construction, so that a description'of one will suiice for-all, be-v ing understood that the operation of the.

valves Will be properly timed to cause sucff;v

cessive operation'of the pistons.

yThe supply of lcombustible fluid to,fand r i the exhaust of thegproductfs` of combustion; from, ea'chcylinder' l0'v is" controlled. by-a ico rotaryevalve- 27 which comprises two oppo- -sitely 'tapered conoidal hollow .mem-bersv 28 and 29, which are tapered toward thecentei'., thereof or-flaredl outwardly from the. center.

Member 28.**of 'this valve, controls Ithe supply of combustible fluid to its cylinder andf member 29 controls the exhaust ofthe products of combustion therefrom. The engine shown-is ot' the four-cycle ty-pe. .Avalve-stem 30 is formed on valve-member 29 and extends through a hub on valvememb'er 28, .said'hub being slidably con- '.nected to"l said stein by a key 32 which causes the valve-members to rotate together and gearing drives shaft 35 in v"1 from the' crank-shaft. formed of sections removably secured totoothed gear at its upper end which meshes with an oblique-toothed gear 41 on thevalve-operating shaft 35. The latter shaft serves to drive all oll the valves 27, being provided with a pinion 3-1 for each valve. Each gear-wheel 33 is journ'aled in a.v suitable gear-case -12 which is alsol provided vwith a bearing for the outer end of valve-stem 30, a vbearing 42 for the hub oi' gear 33, and bearings' forshaft 35. The gearing for driving valve-operating shaft 35 may also beinclosed, as shown. The theratio of -l to Each case a2 is gether and is secured in casing 16 atl one side thereof.

' Relative adjustment of valve-members 28 ,end-294 may be positively eii'ected by a sleeve 45 which is held on a reduced portion t@ of valve-stem 30 and against longitudinal movement thereon by a shoulder L17 on the stem and a nut 48 which engages a correspondingly-threaded lportion 49 on the valve-stem 30. A. lock-washer 50 is interposed between nut 48 and the adjusting sleeve 45', and the latter has an external vscrew-.thread engaging an internal-thread i in hub 31 of valve-member 28.

' which the nut isturned. Nut 48 may bev To relatively adjust .the valve-members, sleeve L15 will be rotated, being provided with a hexagonal portion 45 forapplication to a turning tool. When the sleeve is turned, its screw-threaded engagement with hub 31, which is held against rotation on the stem by key A32, will cause longitudinal movement of member 28 on the stem. This sleeve serves to positively adjust the'valvemember relatively to each otheigin' either direction, according to the direction 1n l*tightened to loclcthe sleeve 45 against displacement and may be loosened to permit the sleeve to be turned when the valve ,is to be adjusted.

stein when adjustment of the valve is necess e sary. llns connection also avoids any latteral pressure upon the. valve. When thegear-cas'e 42 and gear33are removed,`the adjusting-devices for the rotary-valves Will ,be accessible through the' chamber 23, in

casing 16 adjacent the gear-case. .This adjusting-device-for the-oppositelv and inwardly tapered valve-members, exemplifies means for relatively adjusting them to cause them to -'be snugly seated in their respecti've seats and to mutually hold each other in engagement with `their seats and to provide eifective contact against the vescape ot' fluid and to avoid the necessity of independent means for pressing the tapered valve to its seat.

The valve-seat 51 for thel intake valvemember 2S is tapered inwardly correspondingly to the taper on valve-member, so that said member will fit accurately in the seat. Chamber 23 at the outer end ot' valve-seat 5l supplies combustible fluid into valvemember 28, the'outer end of the latter being open. Each valve-member- 28 is formed with two oppositely disposed ports 56 which in rotative succession are brought into registry with an opening 57 between the valve-seat 51 and the combustion-chainber at the upper end of the cylinder. When one of the ports 56 is brought into registry with opening 57, combustible Huid for the operation of the piston, will pass into the cylinder, being drawn thereinto dui-ing the intake stroke of the piston, at which time the exhaust-valve will be closed.

Each valve-member 29 which controls the exhaust, fits in an inwardly tapered conoidal seat 59 corresponding to the taper of said member and is formed with a pair of oppositely disposed ports 60 which. in rotative succession. are alternately;v brought into registry with an opening 61 between valve-seat 59v and the combustion-chamber at the upper end of the cylinder, and by means thereof, the vproducts ofvconzbustion will, during the scavenging stroke-of the piston, be expelled through the hollow valve-member 29 into the exhaust manifold 18. It will be understood that the valves 27 willbe operated in properly timed successicn t0 successively .drive the several pistons in the cylinder.

As a result of providing a valve with oppositely and inwardly tapered or conoidal portions, relative adjustment of the valvemembers or oppositely tapered portions, no holding-means, other than' the valve, itself, is necessary to keeping the valve-members 1n effective contact without undue friction, the

vopposite tapered members serving to mutually hold the valve properly seated. By adjfustmentof sleeve 5,7 any wear between kthe y the outer-ends of the valve causethe oil' to l,be fed outwardly and thus cause all of the ya'lve-jsurfaces andseats may bey effectively talen up to linsure effective titof thevalvemembers inl their seats.

To avoid uneven wear upon the seats, such as results fromupward,pressure against; the bottom portionv either of the valve-members when the vvlipid in the cylinder is under high pressure,during the power strolte and the compression stroke, provision is made for conducting Huid ot' equal pressure to that in the c vlindento pockets between the upper portion of the valve-members and their seats..e,-.For,this purpose, the periphery of .tliejhintale-,valve is provided with oppositely d isposeddiagonal grooves 63 which alternately receive fluid from the cylinder during the power and compression strokes of the piston through opening 5T., and are crosscounected bya pipe '61, to conduct fluid to a 'recess GS formed in the valve-seat 5l and of the ysamesuperfcial area as opening 5T or the exposed area ot' valve-member 28 .when it is closed. Resultantly, -when valve-member 2S is closed, land there is pressure in the cylinder, tluid will pass via opening 5T, groove v(53,. pipe 6land the opposite groove 63 to recess (S5 to exert a counterepressure on the top of the valve and balance the pressure of fluid against that portion ot' valve-member 2S which is exposed to pressure in the cylinder. The purpose of forming grooves 63 diagonally across the peripheryot' valvemember' 2S is tovavoid uneven wear in the U to fluid-pressure in the cylinder, e

valve-seat 5l, such as would result from a narrow'circumferential groove, which would leave a ridge in the seat.v For the same pur pose, diagonal grooves 66 are formed on the opposite sides of valve-member 29, between ports and a pipe 6T cross-connects these grooves. Valve-seat 59 is formed with a recess 68 ot' substantially the same area-'as ,apening 6].. so that fluid under the same yressure as in the cylinder will alwaysbe 'present in said recess, to counter-balance the pressure upony the top and bottom of the valve during the compression, and power strokes. These devices thus exemplify means for equalizing fluid-pressure upon opposite sides` of both the intake and exhaust members of the valve, so that thevalve-seat will not be unevenly worn as the result of pressure against that portion which is exposed e n'oil-ductTQv is formed incasingl for each ofthe valvesfj :and these ducts communiclate .with and receive` oil from a' lubricant- I Each of saidducts conducts the .lubricantto the reduced or central portionof a valve'QT, and this feature is advantageous, because the greater surface vspeed ofthe larger ends of working surfaces of thel valve to be properly lubricated. i l

u .ln operation, the rotary-valves 27, will be continuously driven from the crank-shaft and each in its turn willadnnt combustible fluid from chamber '23 to` one of the 'cylin-l during the compression-stroke, the exhaustvalve will also be closed. After combustion produced in the cylinder by the usual-ignitionmeans, such as spark-plug a', the exhaust-valve' member Q9 will be opened to permit the products of combustion to pass from the cylinder to the exhaust-manifold. At all times, when either valve-member is closed and there is luidunder pressure in the cylinder. some ot' such fiuidwill pass to the upper side of the valve to balance the pressure upon the valve. i

The invention thus exemplifies an improved rotary valve which has adjustable opposing tapered surfaces and coperating seats, whereby effective working contact,

without unnecessaryT friction, will be vetli-4 ydetails set forth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appendedclaims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the" invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

,1. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with a piston, a cylinder and a combustible fuel supply, of a fluid-controlling rotary valve having opposit'ely tapered members, a correspondingly tapered seat for said valve, means for relatively adjusting said members, disposed outwardly of one of the valve-members and accessible to effect said relative adjustment when the valve members are in the seat, and mechanism for rotating said valve.

2. In an internal combustion engine,the

jco'n'ibination with a piston, a cylinder and lcombustible:fuel-supply, of a fluid-control- "ling rotary valve having oppositely'andmwardly taperedmembers, 'a correspondmgly vtapereCl"Seat for said'valve,vmeans 'for rela-I i djusting said members, disposedf'joutivairidiygof one 'or the members' adassi- -,ble to eilfect-said-relative adjustmentwhen the valvev niembersa'refin the Sata l combination with a piston, a cylinder and a 3. In an internal combustionengine,"the i vble to effect said relative adjustment when the valve members are in the seat, 'lockingmeans for said adjustingmeans, similarly disposed and accessible, and mechanism for rotating said valve. v

4. In an internal combustion engine, the

.combination with a'piston, a'cylinder and a combustible fuel supply, of a fluid-controllingrotary valve having oppositely and inwardly taperelmembers, a correspondingly tapered seat for'said valve, one of said memv bers being hollow and having a stem vprojecting from its inner end into the other member of the valve, the latter having a sleeve therein secured on said stem, and mechanism fo-r rotating said valve.

5. In` an internal combustion' engine, the combination with a piston, and a combustivble fuel-supply, of a 'fluid-controlling rotary valve having oppositely tapered members each having its inner end closed and. its outer end open, a correspondingly tapered seat for said valve,a slidable connection between said members, a device for relatively adjusting and locking said members together, disposed at the outer end of one of said members and accessible While the valve is in its seat and mechanism for rotating said valve.

6. In an internal combustion engine, the'` combination with a piston, a cylinder,.and a combustible fuel-supply, of'a fluid-controlling rotary valve having oppositely and inwardly inclined conoidal members each having its linner end closed and its'oii'tei; end open, a correspondinglyv tapered seat for said members, a slidable connection between said members, a device for relatively adjust.- ing and locking said members, disposed at' the outer end of one-ofthe members and accessible' while the valve is in` its seat and mechanism for rotating said valve.

7. In an internal combustion engine, the

stem on one'of said members, a hub on the other member slidable and non-rotatable on the stem, a screw-sleeve between the hub and ing a closed vWall at its inner end and its outer end open, a correspondingly tapered seat yfor said valve, a stem on thelinner wall of one of said members extending through and slidable in the innerl wall of the other member, a screw-sleeve on the stem and between the stem andthe other member for relatively adjusting said members, and mechanism for rotating said valve.

10. In an internal combustion engine, the

`combination with a piston, a cylinder and av combustible fuel-supply, of a rotary valve having opposite-ly tapered conoidal members each having a closed inner wall and its outer end open, la correspondingly `tapered seat for said valve, one of said members having means disposed` outside the inner wall thereof for controlling the supply of fluid to the cylinder, the other having means disposed outside the innerwall thereof for controllingthe exhaust from the cylinder, means Lorrrelatively adjusting and locking Saidmembers accessible when the valve is in its seat, and mechanism for rotating said valve. l j

v 11. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with' a piston, a cylinder and a combustible fuel-supply, of a rotary valve having oppositely and inwardly tapered conoidalmenibers each having a closed inner wall and its vouter end open, a correspondingly tapered seat for said valve, one

of said members having a port disposed Loutside the inner wall thereof for controliing the supply of fluid to the cylinder, the other having a port disposed outside the 'iiner wall thereof for controlling the exhaust lfrom the cylinder, means for relativelygadcombination with a piston, a cylinder, and j a combustible fuel-supply, a fluid-controlling rotary valve having oppositelv tapered conoidal surfaces, a correspondingly tapered seat forsaid valve, astem on one of saidmembers, a hub on the other' member slidable on the"stem,a screw-sleeve,between the hub and the stem; means for relatively adjusting said members, and mechanism for rotating said valve.

8. In an'internal combustion engine, the combination with a piston, a cylinder and a combustible fuel-supply, of a fluid-controly ling rotary-valve having oppositelyaid'in'-A -wardly inclined conoidal members, a correspondingly tapered seat for said valve, a

justing and locking said members, disposed adjacent the outer end of the member r having the inlet part therein, and mechanism for rotating said valve.

12. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with a piston, a'cylinder and a combustible fuel-supply, of a fluid-controlling rotary valve, avl seat for said valve, the seat 'hav-ing a port therein for the passage of fluid, the valve having a port therein, means in the valve for conducting fluid under pressure into contact with that side of the 'valvewhich is opposite the seat-port to balance the pressure upon the valve, and mechanism forrotating said valve.

13. In an internal combustion engine, the

Combination with a fluid under pressure from l a piston, a cylinder and a combustible fuel supply, of a fluide-'controlling tapered rotary. valve, a seat Ior said valve, the seat havlng a port therein for the -`passage of fluid, the valve having a port therein, means in the valve for conducting fluid under pressure into contact with that side of the valve which is opposite the scat port to balance the pressure upon the valve, and mechanism for rotating said valve.

14..In an internal combustion engine,.the combination with a piston, a cylinder, and a combustible fuel-supply, of a fluid-controlling rotary valvev having oppositely tapered surfaces, a correspondingly taperedv seat having ports therein controlled by said valve, means in the valve for conducting the cylinder into contact With that sideof the valve which is opposite said ports and mechanism for rotating said valve.

15. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with a piston, a cylinder, and a combustible fuel-supply', of a tapered rotary valve having a port therein, a correspondingly tapered seat forsaid valve having a port therein at one side of the valve and a recess at the opposite side thereof, means inthe valve for conducting fluid under pressure from the cylinder into Contact with said recess and into contact With the valve, when said port in the seat is closed by said Valve and mechanism for rotating said valve.

16. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with a piston, a cylinder, and a combustible fuel-supply, of a tapered rotary valve having a port therein, a correspondinglytapered seat for said valve having a Huid port therein at one side of the Valve and a recess at the opposite side thereof, means for conducting fluid under pressure fromthe cylinder to said recess vvhen said port in the seat is closed, comprising a diagonal groove in the periphery of the valve, and mechanism for rotating said valve.

17. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with a piston, a cylinder, and a combustible fuel-supply, of a tapered rotary valve having a port therein, a correspondingly tapered seat for said valve having a port therein at one side of the valve and a recess at the opposite side thereof, means in the valve for conducting fluid under pressure from the cylinder to said recess when said port in the seat is closed. comprising a duct extending from one side of the valve to `the other, and mechanism for rotating said valve.

18. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with a piston, a cylinder, and a combustible fuel supply, of a tapered r0- tary valve having` a 'port therein, a correspondingly tapered seat for said valve having a port therein atonesi'deof the valve' and a recess!- at the opposite side thereof, meansv for' conducting Huid under pressure from the cylinder tosaid recess when said port in the seat is closed, comprising a diagonal grou-ve in the pe'ripheryof thel valve and a duct for conducting liuid from one side of the valve to said recess, 'and mechanism for rotating said valve.

19. In an internal combustion engine, the combination With'a piston, a cylinder, and a combustible fuel supply, of a tapered rotary valve having a 'port therein, a correspondingly tapered seat for said valve having a port therein at one side of the valve and a recess at the opposite side thereof, means for conducting fluid under pressure from th'e cylinder to said recess when said port in the seatis closed, comprising a pair of'oppositely disposed grooves in the periphery of the valve, and a duct between said grooves and mechanism for rotating said "alve.

20. In an internal combustion engine, the colnbinatio-n with a piston, a cylinder and a combustible fuel-supply, of a tapered rotary valve having a port therein, a correspondingly tapered seat for said valve having a port therein at one side of the valve and a recess at the opposite s ide thereof, means for conducting fluid under pressure from the cylinder to said recess when said port in the seat is closed, comprising a pair of diagonal oppositely disposed grooves in the periphery 0f the valve, a duct between said groove, and mechanism for rotating said valve.

- 21. In an interna-l combustion engine, the combination with a piston, a cylinder and a combustible fuel supply, a fluid-controlling rotary valve having oppositely tapered conoidal surfaces, a correspondingly tapered seat for the valve having ports therein, and recesses in the opposite side thereof, means in and extending transversely through the valve for conducting fluid under pressure from the cylinder to said recesses when the seat-ports are closed and mechanism for rotating said valve.

22. In an internal combustion engine, the

combination with a piston, a cylinder and a bers, a sliding-connection between said stem and the other of sa1d members, means for relatively adjusting,l saidmembers, comprising a screwand a sleeve, and mechanism for rotating said valve.

2li In an internalcombustion engine, the combination with a piston, a cylinder, and a combustible fuel-supply, `of a tapered hollow open-ended rotary valve having a port therein, a correspondingly tapered seat for said valve having a port therein at one side 

